By KRWG News
Deming – The New Mexico Supreme Court has ordered a Deming judge to respond to a citizens' petition for a grand jury.
Gordon Mast, who petitioned for the grand jury, asked the Supreme Court to intervene after he waited more than a year for a response to his petition seeking an investigation into local government.
Mast wants a grand jury convened immediately.
Last week, three Supreme Court justices ordered state District Judge Daniel Viramontes to respond by Aug. 13.
Viramontes has said he wanted information from a special prosecutor before convening a grand jury.
A special prosecutor from a different judicial district was named to handle the matter after District Attorney Mary Lynn Newell removed herself.
Mast collected 400 signatures last year calling for a grand jury.
___
Information from: Headlight, http://www.demingheadlight.com